We understand that you may have questions about preparing for emergencies. So we have listed the most important questions and answers for you. That way, you can quickly see what you can do.
Prepare
€70 per adult and €30 per child. This is for the most essential expenses in the first 72 hours after a disaster. For example, water, food and transport. This amount is a guideline. Also consider your personal situation, e.g. food for your pet or medicine, and adjust the amount if necessary.
No, you don't have to. There is no emergency now. And many people already have cash at home. If you don’t, or you need more, withdraw some cash from an ATM over the next few months. And when you are given change, always set some aside for your emergency kit.
We realise that setting aside cash for emergencies is an issue for some households, and may not even be possible. Look at what is possible within your own budget. Cash is part of an emergency kit. The government is talking to municipalities and civil society organisations to explore whether vulnerable groups can be supported in putting this package together.
A copy of your passport or identity card should be part of your emergency kit as an (additional) means of identifying yourself. Being able to identify yourself can be crucial in emergency situations, for example when requesting help from the authorities, accessing important services or proving your identity to others.
If your original passport or identity card is lost or damaged, a copy can serve as a backup. This makes it easier to apply for a replacement. It is important to take care of these copies as carefully as the original document, including in an emergency kit.
We recommend a battery-powered radio that can receive FM and/or DAB frequencies. That way, you can be sure of being kept informed and notified by the authorities during an emergency, even if there is no power or internet connection. Each region has its own radio station and FM and DAB frequency. Check the list for the frequency in your region. Adjust your radio to the right frequency in advance.
With an emergency kit, you are prepared for disasters, calamities or emergencies. We therefore recommend putting together your own emergency kit. You probably have most of the stuff already. Check out the emergency kit checklist here. Every household is different. It is therefore important to supplement the emergency kit with specific things that you need, for example, medicines and pet food.
We do not recommend specific brands of emergency kits or types of products for the kit. Instead, we recommend putting together your own emergency kit. It's easy and you probably have most of the stuff already. View the checklist at Put together your emergency kit.
The recommendation is to prepare to do without basic essentials for 72 hours. The government recommends that you prepare for a situation where everyday amenities are no longer available. For example, electricity and water. In extreme situations, you might have to do without them for several days, and it could take a while to get the help you need.
You can prepare by putting together an emergency kit. Putting together an emergency kit is easier than you think. You probably have most of the stuff already.
The European Union recommends that all member states call on residents to be self-reliant for at least 72 hours and to communicate clearly about this. The Netherlands has adopted this recommendation.
We live in unpredictable times. It is increasingly important to be prepared for prolonged outages of amenities like electricity, drinking water or internet. That requires action from everyone. From the government, but also from you and those around you.
It’s best to keep items for the emergency kit in a convenient, easily accessible place. The bag is handy for carrying stuff around. You can put a bottle of water, (copies of) identity documents, cash and other small items in it if you suddenly have to leave your home during an incident.
The central government does not sell emergency kits. You should contact the emergency kit provider about that. Nor do we give advice on buying ready-made emergency kits. Instead, we recommend putting together your own emergency kit. It's easy and you probably have most of the stuff already. View the checklist at: Put together your emergency kit.
Think carefully about what items you will use in three days, such as medicines or medical aids. If you need help with this, you can ask your GP or pharmacy. Contact the supplier for questions about your medical devices. That includes questions about devices that use electricity, for example.
During a disaster
In the event of a disaster in your area, there are various measures you need to take. For example, closing windows and doors if you hear the siren. For more information on what to do, see This is how you’ll be alerted.
During a disaster, the government will issue warnings and provide information about the best course of action. It will do so via NL-Alerts or sirens. More information on this? Check out This is how you’ll be alerted.
Each region has its own radio station and FM and DAB frequency. Check the list for the frequency in your region. Adjust your radio to the right frequency in advance. On a DAB radio, you’ll automatically receive the region's regional broadcaster.
Having an emergency kit means you’ll be prepared for the first few days after a disaster or emergency. The basic contents will help you live at home for a few days without everyday amenities. If you have to evacuate, it may be useful to bring along certain important items from the emergency kit. For example (a copy of) your ID, a list of important phone numbers and cash. Every personal situation is different – you might need baby food, medicines and pet food, for example.
In the event of an incident or disaster, you will be informed online via the website of your municipality or safety region, or the website www.rijksoverheid.nl. There is also always a sign language interpreter at government press conferences; this option is also available to municipalities and safety regions.